Europa League 2025-2026: Sporting Braga-Real Betis, the probable formations

The Europa League quarterfinal program kicks off on Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. at the Municipal Stadium in Braga with the match between Sporting Braga and Real Betis. Both sides come to this fixture having made it through the round of 16 with a real showdown, overturning their respective first leg matches with two 4-0 wins in the return matches.

If Vicens’ Portuguese side are counting on the momentum of their crowd and the quality of Horta to try to mortgage the semifinal, Pellegrini’s Betis has to deal with several heavy absences, most notably Isco and Lo Celso, but they are counting mainly on the quality of Antony and the desire to close out the competition already in the first leg match. This crossroads pits two very proactive clubs against each other, where detail management will be key ahead of the return leg in Seville next week.

Vicens is banking on his tried-and-true 3-4-2-1. In front of Hornicek, the three-man defense features Oliveira centrally with Lagerbielke and Arrey-Mbi on either side. In the midfield, Moutinho’s experience pairs with Grillitsch, while Dorgeles and Rodrigues will act on the outside lanes. In the three-quarter, the imagination of Ricardo Horta and Zalazar Martinez will support the lone Victor forward.

Pellegrini responds with an offensive team to make up for the absences of Isco and Lo Celso. Between the posts former Roma player Pau Lopez, protected by Bartra and Natan. Amrabat and Fornals will form a filter in the midfield, while the Antony-Ezzalzouli-Ruibal trio will have the task of triggering the only forward Cucho Hernandez.

The Likely Lineups

BRAGA (3-4-2-1): Hornicek; Lagerbielke, Oliveira, Arrey-Mbi; Dorgeles, Grillitsch, Moutinho, D. Rodrigues; R. Horta, Zalazar Martinez; Victor. All. Vicens.

REAL BETIS (4-2-3-1): P. Lopez; Bellerin, Bartra, Natan, R. Rodriguez; Fornals, Amrabat; Antony, Ezzalzouli, Ruibal; Cucho Hernandez. All. Pellegrini.